Arber Xhekaj beats Keaton Middleton into submission.

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Keaton Middleton probably thought that he had a relatively easy matchup on his hands when he started blowing a gasket, but unfortunately for Middleton the Sheriff was in town on Saturday night.

Middleton and the Avalanche faced off against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night and it would be during the early moments of the second period that Middleton would come face to face with Habs enforcer Arber Xhekaj.

It was Middleton who seemed to be the aggressor in this one after a scuffle with Canadiens forward Josh Anderson left Middleton itching for a fight with the 30 year old veteran forward. Anderson however wasn't interested in dropping the gloves, and unfortunately for Middleton he found someone willing to accept his challenge.

After some pushing and shoving between Middleton and Anderson, Xhekaj stepped in to drop the gloves with Middleton and the Avalanche defenseman quickly responded by dropping his gloves as well.

Unfortunately for Middleton this one wouldn't go his way, with Xhekaj quite literally pummeling him into submission up until the point the officials stepped in to save him. As the two men traded blows, Xhekaj landed a heavy shot that dropped Middleton to the ice, but instead of simply letting Middleton fall to the ice, Xhekah held on and continued to rain down blow after blow on Middleton who didn't seem to be able to effectively defend himself at that point.

Thankfully, as I mentioned, the officials stepped in to save Middleton before too much damage could be done. That being said there is no question about which player walked away from this one the victor.